Bowling, skating, golf events to support Cancer Society

Josiyah Daniel helps his mother, Ashley Daniel, bowl at Buena Lanes in Ventura on Saturday. Ashley Daniel's mother, Audrey Hayward, died from cancer, so family members and friends participate every year in Bowl for the Cure.

Whether it's bowl, roll or hole, area residents will have the opportunity to do all three in support of local cancer patients.

In simultaneous events benefiting the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, Buena Lanes, Skating Plus and Golf N' Stuff — all in Ventura — will host Bowl for the Cure, Roll for the Cure and Golf for the Cure on Feb. 11.

A $25 donation covers bowling, skating or miniature golfing and equipment rentals during the afternoon event. Two of the venues are offering free food, rides or raffles.

The Ventura County Men's Bowling Association started Bowl for the Cure four years ago as a way to support cancer patients in the community. The majority of proceeds raised from the event go to the American Cancer Society in Ventura County. For the first time this year, Skating Plus and Golf N' Stuff are joining in the effort by hosting their own events.

"Cancer touches all of our lives," said Dina Fink, who is co-chair of Bowl for the Cure, a board member for the Ventura County Men's Bowling Association and center manager at Buena Lanes. "We wanted to do something that was local and stayed here in Ventura. We just thought it was really important to get bowlers involved in cancer awareness."

The response has been encouraging. Each of the previous bowling fundraisers attracted as many as 200 people and generated $12,000 to $16,000 in donations, Fink said.

Monica Ward, special events manager with the American Cancer Society, said the money supports rides for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It also helps purchase wigs, hats, scarves, makeup kits and wheelchairs, as well as materials for cancer patient outreach.

"We appreciate their support on behalf of our families," Ward said. "With the economy the way it's been, we're seeing more of a need every year."

Bowl for the Cure has become a poignant annual event for Oxnard resident Sarah Daniel and members of her family. She lost her oldest sister, Audrey Hayward, to uterine cancer in 2009, shortly after celebrating Hayward's 40th birthday with a surprise party at the first Bowl for the Cure event.

"When I walk in there, I can see her smiling face and see the surprise and the tears coming down," Daniel said. "I know that she's around and I know that she's proud of all of us for continuing it because I know that she wanted it."

Each year, Daniel organizes a group of about 20 family members and friends to attend the event.

"I do it for her because she wanted to spread the word to people not to be scared and to get checked out," Daniel said.

Each event offers different features for the $25 donation. At Golf for the Cure, participants can enjoy miniature golf, go-carts, bumper cars, bumper boats, laser tag and pizza from 1 to 4 p.m.

Roll for the Cure will offer skating and skate rentals from 1 to 5 p.m.

At Bowl for the Cure, participants will receive bowling, shoe rentals, barbecue, T-shirts and the opportunity to enter raffles and a silent auction from 12:30 to 3:20 p.m. Prizes include baseball and hockey tickets, Las Vegas hotel vouchers, gift cards, rounds of golf and free oil changes. The American Cancer Society also hands out educational information.

"It means a lot to me," Daniel said. "This is for our community and the people we know and love. I will continue to do this as long as they have it."